upson



J. W. UPSON' 2 Sheets-Shegt 1.

` FURNAGE.

(No Model.)

Patented July. 17, 1894.

I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J UPsoN.

(NO'MOdeL') AGB. No. 523,249. Patented July 17, 1894.

R i QW Y Ax Fig. 2 is a top plan partly in section on line said sprocket-drum and roller being superating sprocket-drum, E, at the rear of the ITED STATES FU RN ATE- EEICE.

IO, ASSIGNOR ACE.

sPEoIrrcArron forming part ef Letters Patent No. 523,249, dated July 17, 1894.

Application fled April 10,1893.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be-it known that I, JAMES W. UPsoN, of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Furnaces; and l do hereby declare thel following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as w1l1 enable others skilled in the art to which 1t pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in smokeless furnaces; and it consists in' the improved apparatus for and mode of feeding the fuel through a ceiling-chamber preparatory to its introduction into the iire or com-V bustion-chamber and continuously feeding a suitable layer ofv fuel from said coking-chamber 1 nto theiire ofV the combustion-chamber, and 1t also consists in the peculiarities of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation in central longitudinal sectionof a boiler-furnace embodying my invention.

2-2, Fig. 1, and partly broken away to more clearly showthe construction. Fig. 3 is'an' enlarged plan in detail of a portion of the endless grate. o Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section of the coking-chamber, exhibiting a somewhat modified construction of top or roof for said chamber. Fig. 5 is a section onv line 5 5, Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings, A. represents a steam-boiler of the horizontal tubular variety. The boiler, however, may be of any suitable construction or form.

B B represent the side-walls; B the rear end-wall of the setting, and b a bridgewall at the rear of the fire or combustion-chamber F. The re or combustion-chamber, at its forward end, is in open relation with the coking-chamber C that, in turn, is in open rela tion with the feed-hopper or magazine. The grate consists of a series of endlesschains D arranged side by side, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and preferably declining somewhat toward the rear of the combustion-chamber, as shown in Fig. l, the chain-grate passing over the opcombustion-chamber, and leading over a roller, G, at the front of the furnace-setting,

sei-in No. 469,741. (No model.)

ported, respectively, in any suitable manner. The power for operating the chain-grate in moving the fuel-feeding-section thereof rear- Ward is applied by means of any suitable mechanism to sprocket-drum E, and hence said section of the grate is kept taut. The side-walls of the setting extend some distance forward of the boiler, but at a reduced height, 6o as shown at B2.

The fuel-carrying or tight section of the endless-grate passes through the coking and combustion-chamber and rests upon the bottoms or floors of said chambers, said iioors decliningrearwardly to conform to the declination of said section of the grate.

' The tloors of the coking and combustionchambersare composed preferably of a single water bottom, H, as shown in Figi, said bot- 7o tom being suitably supported between and adjoining the side-walls of the setting and extending between and preferably as'close to sprocket-drum E and roller G as is practicable, the top side of the water-bottoml being liush, or approximately so, with the top of said drum and roller, so that the endless grate passing over said bott-om shall nicely rest upon the bottom. The water-bottom, by pipes or otherwise, is in open relation with the top 8o and bottom of the boiler to insure circulation. For instance, pipe, h, establishes openv relation between'the lower end of the water-bottom and bottom of the boiler, and pipe, h',

yestablishes open relation between the upper b2, at or near the lower or rear end of said 9obottom. y Y. The section'ofthe waterbottom that forms the iioor of the iire or combustion-chamber has a cluster of vertical tubes H,(see Figs. l and 4) fastened in the usual manner to the 95 top andY bottom plates of the water-bottom, said tubes serving as air-ducts or passageways for supplying air to the combustionn, chamber from underneath the chain-grate. Water-bottom H constitutes a feature of vast roo importance, in that it prevents the grate from becoming overheated. v

K represents the fuel-hopper or magazine that discharges onto the chain-grate at the forward end of the coking-chamber. Usually a plate, L, is laid across on top of the chaingrate just forward of hopper K for excluding alr as far as possible from entering through the lnterstices of the grate, and through any space between the grate and fuel-hopper.

The top or roof of the coking-chamber is preferably constructed as shown in Figs. l and 6, ,wherein the same is principally composed of several courses of fire-brick M arranged transversely of and'supported by the sideswalls of the coking-chamber. Two of the courses of brick of said roof or top are separated a suitable distance, as at N, and the coking-chamber, between said sections of its top or roof, is closed by one o r more perforated plates, n, preferably a series of plates,

as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. The brick and the courses of brick at either side of space N are bound and secured together, the means of binding or securing together the respective courses, consisting, preferably of channel-beams, m, and assemblingbolts, m. Perforated plates N are preferably U shaped, with the end-members thereof iianged out wardly at their free ends as at n', and with the flanges resting upon the adjacent channelbeams employed in holding together the bricks of the respective adjacent courses of brick.

The perforations in plates n admit air to the coking-chamber from above, and by removing one of said plates the coking-chamber cr coking-process may be readily inspected.

especially for igniting the gases expelled from the coal during the coking-process. The draft of air through perforated plates n may be easily regulated by closing or partially closing more or less of the perforations by dam-` pers (not shown) or any means suitable for the purpose.

A somewhat modied construction of top or roof for the coking-chamber is shown in Flg. 6, wherein the same consists of' a watercover or top, I, with a cluster of small vertical tubes, l', for the admission of air from aboveinto the coking-chamber, and lwherein pipe h', instead of leading directly from water-bottom H to the top of the boiler, leads from said bottom into top or cover I and another pipe,.h3, leads from said top or cover into the boiler.

The fuel-hopper or magazine, at its lower end, is less in lateral dimensions than the chain-grate and thence upward, for a suitable distance, say to point k, the hopper decreases in rsize so that the fuel, as it becomes heated and expanded in its passage to the cokingchamber, shall not clog in the lower portion of the hopper or magazine.

expanding coal or fuel from crowding against the side-walls of the coking-chamber, I pro- To prevent the vide as follows:-Plates, O, are secured to the Water-bottom on each side of the grate, and extend above and over-lap the grate, and extend from the lowermost portion of the hopper at O to the rear end wall of the cokingchamber, the plates diverging rearwardly from point O to the width of the grateat the rear of the coking-chamber. of said plates, where they join the fuel-hopper, being preferably dush with the sides of the hopper. Plates O support the side-walls of the coking-chamber, said walls being composed of lire-brick, slabs of soap-stone, or other refractory material, and diverge rearwardly and have their inner surfaces preferably flush with the inner edges of the supporting-plates. Said diverging walls of the coking-chamber confine the coal or fuel laterally and admit of the fuel expanding as it is conveyed rearwardly. The coking-chamber is preferably of such length that the coking-process is completed before the fuel passes out of said chamber, after which there is no more expansion of the fuel, and consequently no tendency of the fuel to crowd against the side walls of the setting. Plates O maybe said to constitute a part of the side-walls of the coking-chamber and the side-walls may be said to be undercut where the plates overlap the endless grate.

The movement of the chain-grate is slow, saysix inches, more or less, per hour, according to circumstances. It will be readilyunderstood that with such slow movement `there is ample time for the coking of the coal or fuel while the latter is passing `through the coking-chamber, and for consuming the coal or fuel before it reaches the dumping Aplace at the rearof thechain-operating-drum, so that only ashes, cinders and refuse are dumped.

To exclude the entrance of air into thecombustion-chamber from between `the grateoperating-drum and bridge-wall, the latter is provided with a forward extension b' overhanging the rear portion of the bottomof the combustion-chamber `and supporting a horizontal rod, P, extending from side to side of the settting and having loosely `mounted thereon oscillating or swinging blocks, P', that normally hang with their lower ends in such proximity to the chain-grate asto permit only ashes to be carried underneath thesame without causing their oscillation. Blocks P `are placed as closely together as is practi cable without interfering with their capability of independent oscillation, and hence it will be observed that they efficiently preventthe passage of a currentof air into the combustion-chamber from between the grate-operating-drum and bridge-wall. Blocks P', by virtue of their capability to swing or oscillate, do not obstruct the escape of stones `and clinkers. Tubes H', that extend through the water-bottom under the fire-chamber, also permit the escape of ashes into a pan, Q, suitably supported belowthe portion of the waterbottom that contains said vertical tubes, pan

The inner edges Q- extending from one, side wall to theother lside-wall of the f urnace-settin g, the latter being provided with doors q for access to said pan. Y Said ash-pan is preferably divided by means of a laterally-sliding partition, Q2, into two compartments, Q', extending from end is materially reduced, asthe passage of air to the vertical tubes in the water-bottom leading from the compartment or duct closed as j ust indicated, is cut off entirely. Partition Q2 1s preferably capable of being slid laterally to enlarge or reduce the size of either one of the compartments of the ash-pan, and owing to the rearward declination of the water-bottom, as hereinbefore indicated, it follows that in order that partition Q2, if moved laterally to enlarge or reduce one of the ashcompartments, shall not establish open communication between thev two compartments, sald partition -must be adjustable in height, and asuitable construction is shown in Fig. 1, wherein the'partition is composed of two angle-plates, q2, and a plate'q3 adjustable up and down between said angle-plates, said vertically-movable member being secured tothe angle-plates by means of bolts and nuts, as

at g4, and the angle-plates being slotted, as

at Q5, to accommodate the said vertical adjustment of the middle plate.

An air-duct, R, is preferably provided underneath that portion of the water-bottom that forms the lioorv of the coking-chamber, said duct extending transversely of the furnace and being provided at one or both ends with doors r having dampers r. Several small vertical tubes, H2, extending through and secured to the top and bottom plates of the Water-bottom, establish open relation between duct R and the coking-chamber. The air passing into the coking-chamber through the perforations in its roof or top and such air as passes down between the interstices 0f the coal, are usually amply sufficient for supporting combustion in the coking-l chamber, but if more air is wanted it is admitted through tubes H2.

By means of the provisions 'of a water-bottom and the connection of said bottom with the boiler, as shown, a circulation is had whereby the water-bottom utilizes a large amount of heat that would, otherwise, be wasted.

I would remark that by my improved construction of furnace there is a constant liberation of gases in the coking-chamber, and said gases, commingling with the air introduced as hereinbefore described, are heated to ignition or combustion before they enter the combustion-chamber below the comparatively cool yboiler-surface, and consequently little or no smoke is formed.

The chains that form the chain-grate consist, respectively, of links d d pivotally secured together, as at d2. The different chains are alike, excepting that the small projecting parts d3, that hold the contiguous or adjacent chains separated, are omitted on the outside chain next to one of theside-Walls of the setting.

S represents doors that lead to different parts of the furnace, respectively.

ll. A furnace having a combustion-chamber, a coking-chamber located forward of said combustion-chamber, an endless-grate arranged to travel in contact with the floors or bottoms of said chambers and carry the fuel through the coking-chamber into the combustion-chamber, and suitable means for supplying a cooling agent underneath said floors or bottoms to prevent the latter and the grate thereon, from being overheated, substantially as set forth.

2. A furnace having a combustion-chamber, and a coking-chamber, a Water-bottom for said chambers, and an endless-grate arranged to travel in contact with said bottom.

and carry fuel through the coking-chamber into the combustion-chamber, substantially as set forth.

8. A furnace having a combustion-chamber, a coking-chainber located forward of said combustion-chamber, a rearwardly-declining continuous bottom for said chambers, and an endless grate arranged to travel in contact with said bottom and carry fuel through the coking-chamber into the combustion-chamber, substantially as set forth.

4:. In a furnace, the combination with the combustion-chamber, an endless-grate, and suitable means for operating or moving said grate, of a water-bottom supporting the'upper or feeding-section of the grate and extending from end to end and from side'to side of the combustion-chamber or approximately so, substantially as set forth.

5. In a furnace, the combination with the boiler and endless grate arranged to carry fuel into the combustion chamber, the upper or feeding-section of said grate declining substantially as indicated, of a water-bottom supporting said section of the grate, and pipes establishing open relation between the upper ward of the combustion-chamber, an endless grate arranged to carry fuel from the coking-` chamber into the combnstionchamber, of a Water-bottom or cooling-chamber under the feeding-section of said grate, said coolingchamber extending from the forward end of the coking-chamber to the rear end of the combustion-chamber, or approximately so, substantially as set forth.

8. In a furnace, the combination with a combustion-chamber having a water-bottom and endless-grate for carrying fuel into said chamber, of air-ducts or passage-ways extending through said bottom and adapted to discharge air into the combustion-chamber through lthe grate, substantially as set forth.

9. In a furnace, the combination with a coking-chamber having a Water-bottom and endless-grate for carrying the fuel through said chamber into the combustion-chamber, of air ducts or passage-Ways extending th rough said bottom and discharging into the coking-chamber, substantially as set forth.

10. In a furnace, the combination with a coking-chamber having a top or roof composed of one or more perforated plates or castings and one or more courses of tire-brick at either side of said perforate portion, the bricks and courses of bricks, at either side of said perforate portion, being held and bound together by metallic beams or bars and assembling bolts, substantially as set forth. y

11. In a furnace, the combination with a coking-chamber and endless-grate arranged to carry fuel through said coking-chamber into the combustion-chamber, of plates or members overlapping the grate at the sides of the @cking-chamber, said overlapping members, at their inner edges diverging from the receiving toward the delivering end of said chamber, substantially as set forth.

12. In a furnace, the combination with a combustionchamber, coking-chamber and fuel-hopper or magazine arranged, substantially as indicated, and an endlessfgrate ar ranged to carry fuel through the cokingcham ber into the combustion-chamber, the .discharging-end of the fuel-hopper or magazine being less in width than the endless-grate, and the side-walls of the coking-chamber diverging from the receiving-end of said chamber at the hopper toward the dischargingend of the chamber, substantially as setforth.

In testimony whereof I sign this `specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this 14th day of March, 1893. p

JAMES W.\UPSON.

Witnesses:

C. H. Donna, WARD HOOVER. 

